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Full Idea
If that substantial chain [vinculum substantiale] for monads did not exist, all bodies, together with all of their qualities, would be nothing but well-founded phenomena, like a rainbow or an image in a mirror, continual dreams perfectly in agreement.
Gist of Idea
Without a substantial chain to link monads, they would just be coordinated dreams
Source
Gottfried Leibniz (Letters to Des Bosses [1715], 1712.02.05)
Book Ref
Leibniz,Gottfried: 'Philosophical Essays', ed/tr. Arlew,R /Garber,D [Hackett 1989], p.198
A Reaction
[The first appearance, apparently, of the 'susbtantial chain' in his writings] I take this to be a hugely significant move, either a defeat for monads, or the arrival of common sense. Spiritual monads must unify things, so they can't just be 'parallel'.
Related Ideas
Idea 12753 A substantial bond of powers is needed to unite composites, in addition to monads [Leibniz]
Idea 12777 Monads do not make a unity unless a substantial chain is added to them [Leibniz]
Idea 12778 There is active and passive power in the substantial chain and in the essence of a composite [Leibniz]
12774 | Without a substantial chain to link monads, they would just be coordinated dreams [Leibniz] |
12775 | Things seem to be unified if we see duration, position, interaction and connection [Leibniz] |
12776 | Every substance is alive [Leibniz] |
12777 | Monads do not make a unity unless a substantial chain is added to them [Leibniz] |
12753 | A substantial bond of powers is needed to unite composites, in addition to monads [Leibniz] |
12781 | A composite substance is a mere aggregate if its essence is just its parts [Leibniz] |
12779 | There is a reason why not every possible thing exists [Leibniz] |
12785 | Truth is mutually agreed perception [Leibniz] |
12784 | Allow no more miracles than are necessary [Leibniz] |
12782 | Monads control nothing outside of themselves [Leibniz] |
12778 | There is active and passive power in the substantial chain and in the essence of a composite [Leibniz] |
12783 | Primitive force is what gives a composite its reality [Leibniz] |
12780 | We can grasp the wisdom of God a priori [Leibniz] |